Great Moments: Picard/Riker - join in on the fun!

[Star Treks]

Seventh in a series of threads exploring great moments, scenes, lines, or episodes involving two TNG characters. I'm keeping track of your ideas so please feel free to join in on the discussion. It's my assertion that every main character pairing, no matter how obscure, has at least one great moment in TNG.

Today, it's the two head honchos. Picard and Riker. Were they the "two sides" of Kirk? I don't buy it, but they made a wonderful contrast with each other, and the similarities and differences in their command style were an interesting aspect of the show. What about their personal interactions? What are some of your favorite Picard/Riker moments?

 

[Brian]

I had a favorite moment right away in the pilot episode:

Picard: One further thing - special favor.
Riker: Anything, sir.
Picard: Using the same strength you showed with Captain De Soto, I would appreciate it if you could keep me from making an ass of myself with children.
Riker: Sir?
Picard: I'm not a family man, Riker. And yet, Starfleet has given me a ship with children aboard.
Riker: Yes, sir.
Picard: And I, uh, I don't feel comfortable with children. But since a Captain needs an image of geniality, you're to see that's what I project.

 

[Star Treks]

Good moment. For such a little-respected pilot, I think Encounter at Farpoint had a ton of wonderful moments of character interaction - that which you just mentioned and the Riker/Data scene in the holodeck, for example.

 

[Red Ranger]

Good moment. For such a little-respected pilot, I think Encounter at Farpoint had a ton of wonderful moments of character interaction - that which you just mentioned and the Riker/Data scene in the holodeck, for example.

Agreed, Star Treks. I also like how Picard kind of damns Riker with faint praise after he successfully performs the manual redocking of the saucer section with the stardrive section. "A routine maneuver, but you peformed it adequately," or some such line.

There are many great moments between these two. Like in The Pegasus, Picard is demanding answers from Riker about what really happened on board that ship. When Riker avoids the question by telling Picard he should take it up with Admiral Pressman, he yells, "I'm taking it up with you, Will!"

Later in that scene, when it becomes clear to Picard that Riker won't answer his questions because Pressman has ordered him not to discuss it, he basically says, I guess I'll have to trust you. But then he says if he finds his trust has been misplaced, he threatens, "Then I shall have to reevaluate the command structure of this ship! Dismissed!" In other words, I'll fire you!

You rarely saw Picard dress down Riker, so that is one of my favorite scenes. I often thought their relationship was kind of father/son, or uncle/nephew myself.

I also like the scene in Best of Both Worlds, Part 1 where Picard is trying to convince Riker that for the good of his career, he should take command of the Melbourne. He pays Riker the ultimate compliment when he says, "Will, you're ready to work without a net. You're ready for command. And you know, the Enterprise will get along just fine without you."

Red Ranger

 

[Mr. Fergy]

I still like "Captain Picard Day", it's one of the funniest moments. IMHO!

 

[Whoa Nellie]

What about their personal interactions? What are some of your favorite Picard/Riker moments?

Hands down, my personal favorite of the Picard & Riker moments are "Captain's Holiday" when Riker sends an unsuspecting Picard after a Horga'hn. The end of the episode is just too funny.

Picard: Oh, yes, Number One, about that Horga'hn you requested.

Riker: Yes, Sir?

Picard: You and I need to have a little chat about that.


I love it. That lovely piece of canon has been very fertile fodder for my Picard/Vash fanfic!


Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[WillsBabe]

For two characters who on the face of it don't seem to have that much do do with each other beyond their command intereacts, there are actually gallons of great Picard and Riker moments. Here are a few of my favourites:

Inner Light - Picard collapses without warning and Riker catches him.

Future Imperfect - just as Riker is about to leave the bridge for the away team, Picard wishes him happy birthday and Riker turns and bows. I love that moment.

Pegasus - Picard is eating dinner in his cabin and hauls Riker over the coals.

Ethics - Picard and Riker fabricate some ship's business in the ready room in order to give the impression they aren't fretting over Worf in surgery.

Legacy - Riker goes to Picard's quarters to confess that he like everyone else was taken in by Tasha's siter.

The Vengeance Factor - Picard goes to Ten Forward to check up on Riker after the Yuta thing.

Suddenly Human - Picard and Riker prop up the bar in Ten Forward while Wes and Jono have an ice cream fight.

Coming of Age - Riker askes Picard if he is under investigation from Remmick (makes absolutely no sense until you retcon it after watching Pegasus).

Gambit - Picard heckles Riker while Baran hikes up the pain device; followed by, "You're always after my job, Number One."

Schisms - Picard and Riker invesigate the poisoned ensign who falls out of his cabin doorway and they kneel down together to check him out.

Can't remember the (first season?) episode - Picard and Riker on the phaser range.

Connundrum - Macduff shows his true colours and Picard and Riker just fall back into the old teamwork.

Tapestry - Picard pours Riker tea and tells him about his young and reckless days.

First Contact (film) - Picard is listening to music in his ready room, the composer of which Riker wrongly identifies.

BOBW - "Incorrect strategy, Number One."

Generations - Picard and Riker share thoughts on naval days of yore while on the HMS Enterprize

Okay, I'm stopping now, I need to go and do other things!

 

[Blueicus]

Rascals: When kiddy Picard comes over and gives Riker a big bear hug and calls him his number one dad.

 

[Star Treks]

Great list, WillsBabe. That's the kind of awesome feedback I'm looking for in these threads.

Thanks to other responders, too. I appreciate the input and interaction. This is bringing back great memories - I haven't really watched TNG much since I watched the whole series in order about 3 years ago. I'm starting to think it's time for Round II with the 'NG.

 

[Whoa Nellie]

For two characters who on the face of it don't seem to have that much do do with each other beyond their command intereacts, there are actually gallons of great Picard and Riker moments.

Absolutely!

Gambit - Picard heckles Riker while Baran hikes up the pain device; followed by, "You're always after my job, Number One."

That one is great.

Generations - Picard and Riker share thoughts on naval days of yore while on the HMS Enterprize

I love Riker's line in response to Picard's wistful daydreaming.

"Bad food, brutal discipline – no women."

The look Picard gives him in return is just as funny.

Warmest Wishes,
Whoa Nellie

 

[WillsBabe]

^ Glad you like 'em, Star Treks and Nellie.

Another:
Nemesis: "You have the bridge, Mr Troi."

Here are a couple of images to illustrate our thread:

 

[Red Ranger]

Here's another interaction I like, although it does involve Counselor Troi as well. Can't recall the ep, but it's when Lwxana wants to jump Picard's bones because of some Betazed change in her sexuality -- she's basically all hopped up on her own endorphins. Troi explains how Picard is the target of Lwxana's overdeveloped sexuality, and Riker laughs, "Congratulations, sir!" And Picard gives him a deadly look and replies, "I'm not amused, number one." -- RR

 

[Smiley]

I've always liked the coda of "Tapestry" where Picard reminisces with Riker about his younger, wilder days.

 

[Luckyflux]

I have to second the Captain Picard Day! One of my favorite scenes in ST. I like when they are holding the Captain Picard doll and Riker grabs it and says (imitating Picards voice) "I don't know number 1, I'd say the resemblance is quite remarkable" or something close to that.

That kind of interplay between serious chacters really showed me that ST was hitting all the write notes.

 

[Red Ranger]

I have to second the Captain Picard Day! One of my favorite scenes in ST. I like when they are holding the Captain Picard doll and Riker grabs it and says (imitating Picards voice) "I don't know number 1, I'd say the resemblance is quite remarkable" or something close to that.

That kind of interplay between serious chacters really showed me that ST was hitting all the write notes.

Agreed! I also like how later on, to Riker's dismay, Picard tells him he's going to have a Commander Riker Day declared, and that he might make an entry himself!

And while these instances didn't happen between Picard and Riker, on two occasions Picard defends Riker to two people critical of him, Kolrami in Peak Performance and Captain Jellico in Chain of Command, Part 1, as the finest officer with whom he's ever served.

Red Ranger

 

[WillsBabe]

on two occasions Picard defends Riker to two people critical of him, Kolrami in Peak Performance and Captain Jellico in Chain of Command, Part 1, as the finest officer with whom he's ever served.

Red Ranger

Good point. Doesn't Picard also defend Riker to Pressman at some point in the Pegausus episode when he's explaining why he chose him as his first officer? (I can't remember if Pressman is being critical or not, though...)

 

[Blueicus]

Well, Pressman did seem disappointed that Riker had changed from the obedient young officer that had served under him on the Pegasus to become the more outspoken and critical officer that served under DeSoto and Picard. Picard certainly did defend Riker's change of behaviour over the years.

 

[PhoenixIreland]

That epsiode showd a fundamental diffrence in attitude between Pressmen and Picard, Picard chose Riker for someone to stand up to him because he knew he would not ALWAYS be right, but Pressmen presumed he always would be and therefore any order he gave should be the right one and should be followed.

The best serious moment between the two was Picard threatening to get a new first officer in Pegasus.

The best funny moment has to be Riker with the Picard doll in the same ep.

 

[Evil Twin]

I'm surprised no one mentioned "11001001". I thought they were great together in that.

 

[SmoothieX]

^ I was just coming here to mention that.

I think that episode really set the tone for the series. They get to know each other a little better personally and let their guard down. Riker in his holo-fantasy, Picard speaking of France and other things. There's also some humor which is nice.

Also it establishes a professional connection between them. They literally have to work together and be on the same page to save the ship. It helps to develop that 'implicit trust' that comes back in...

BOBW - "Then take your best shot Locutus, because we're about to intervene..." Love that line!

I'm also a big fan of The Pegasus. It helps explain why Picard picked Riker in the first place and how the whole situation is a strain on their relationship. I like the brig scene as well at the end.